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NASCAR: Pre-Season Top-25 Power Rankings

By Christopher Olmstead

Jul 2, 2016; Daytona Beach, FL, USA; NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Brad Keselowski (2), driver Kyle Larson (42), driver Joey Logano (22), driver Kyle Busch (18), and driver Kyle Larson (42) cross the restart line with three laps to go during the Coke Zero 400 at Daytona International Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 2, 2016; Daytona Beach, FL, USA; NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Brad Keselowski (2), driver Kyle Larson (42), driver Joey Logano (22), driver Kyle Busch (18), and driver Kyle Larson (42) cross the restart line with three laps to go during the Coke Zero 400 at Daytona International Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /
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Aug 1, 2016; Long Pond, PA, USA; NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Ryan Blaney (21) races during the Pennsylvania 400 at Pocono Raceway. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O'Haren-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 1, 2016; Long Pond, PA, USA; NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Ryan Blaney (21) races during the Pennsylvania 400 at Pocono Raceway. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O’Haren-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 20 to No. 16

20. Can Kasey Kahne finally make a comeback in 2017? Kahne hasn’t won a race since 2014, which also happens to be the last time that he made it to the playoffs. Even with Chase Elliott joining HMS in 2016 as a rookie, Kahne remained the worst driver on the team. The good news is that Kahne started to turn it around at the end of 2016 and if he can continue that in 2017, he could be back in the playoffs.. No. 5. Hendrick Motorsports. KASEY KAHNE

19. Bowyer is No. 19 based on expectations and not what I think will be his reality. I am one of the few who don’t foresee Bowyer doing much in 2017 but that doesn’t mean that he doesn’t have all of the opportunity in the world sitting in front of him with the No. 14 machine at SHR. After a few races we shall see if Bowyer remains in the top-25.. No. 14. Stewart-Haas Racing. CLINT BOWYER

Roush Fenway Racing is in need of a new face of the organization and that face could belong to Ricky Stenhouse Jr. in 2017. However, it could also belong to his teammate Trevor Bayne, who did not make it into the pre-season rankings. Stenhouse showed a lot of improvement in 2016 while RFR as a whole improved. The key to 2017 will be continued consistency and avoiding bad days that result in finishes outside of the top-30. Be the face Ricky, be the face.. No. 17. Roush Fenway Racing. RICKY STENHOUSE JR.. 18

Joe Gibbs Racing. DANIEL SUAREZ. 17. If Carl Edwards were driving this car in 2017 I might have penciled him in for 3-4 wins, a return to the playoffs and a spot in the final-four in Miami. With Daniel Suarez behind the wheel I am thinking more along the lines of one win, a trip to the playoffs and maybe a run as far as the top-12. If all of that comes to be it will result in a pretty great rookie season that should lock up Rookie of the Year.. No. 19

16. I really though that Ryan Blaney was going to win a race in 2016 and now I really, really think that he is going to win a race in 2017. If he doesn’t, I will really, really, really think that he will win in 2018, see the pattern? Blaney needs to find just a bit more consistency in 2017. The major difference between Blaney and Elliott is 2016 was a bad day for Blaney was 28th whereas a bad day for Elliot was 18th. Over 26 races those points make a difference and could decide who makes or misses the playoffs.. No. 21. Wood Brothers. RYAN BLANEY

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